Nearly 20 percent of Americans have some level of disability
according to data released by the Commerce Department's Census Bureau on
March 16, 2001. In an effort to raise awareness about disability
employment issues and promote positive perceptions about the diverse
contributions and abilities of America's workers with disabilities, the
City of Houston's Department of Neighborhoods/Mayor's Office for People
with Disabilities and its community partners launched their 3rd Annual
Disability Employment Awareness Month celebration on October 7, with a
COT alumnus among those honored.

Karl A. Hearne, M.S. Human Resources Development, 2010, Assistant to
the Vice President for Community Relations and Institutional Access,
Division of the UH Chancellor/President, was among the four honorees. "I
am truly grateful for this recognition of my unyielding commitment to
overcome adversity and beat the odds of being physically handicapped,"
said Hearne.

This year's campaign theme is, "Synergy for Inclusion." In addition
to honoring some outstanding individuals with disabilities, this event
acknowledged those persons and agencies/organizations who/that have
stepped up to the plate to level the playing field for disabled citizens
by addressing and removing barriers; providing programs/ services and
offering employment opportunities.

"This event's goal was to highlight the abilities of Houston's
disabled citizens," said Catherine Flowers, Department of Neighborhoods
director in a recent press release. "As noted by our theme, we believe
that everyone should be given the opportunity to participate fully
within our economic communities and that is why we work to remove
physical and attitudinal barriers throughout the greater Houston
community."